Bachem - Who we are
Bachem is an independent, technology-based, public biochemicals company providing full service to the pharma and biotech industry. Bachem is specialized in the process development and the manufacturing of peptides and complex organic molecules as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as well as innovative biochemicals for research purposes. With headquarters in Bubendorf, Switzerland, and affiliates in Europe and the US, Bachem works on a global scale and holds a leading position in the field of peptides.
Our industry – the life sciences
In the last few decades, the life sciences, or biosciences, have become increasingly important in many areas of daily life, such as agriculture, nutrition and healthcare. Foremost amongst these are the advances made in the field of medicine. A lot of hope is pinned on the life sciences for innovative treatments and new medicines to address hitherto unmet medical needs. The combination of modern biosciences, such as systems biology, molecular biology, biophysics and bioinformatics, in association with the Human Genome Project is leading to an increasing density of knowledge about the causes and processes of disease. Understanding human genes and their functions, as well as the role of proteins and peptides in the regulation of processes in the human body, results in new lead compounds for innovative medicines. Personalized medicine, which considers not only the diagnosis but also the specific interaction of a medicine with the
individual concerned, is a branch of biomedical research that could point the way for the future. It is directly facilitated by the interdisciplinary work of many universities and companies active in the biosciences. Promising new prospects are thus constantly being opened up both for the research-based industry and for manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Medicines are also being successfull developed for more specific and rarer diseases. For example, many small and highly specialized biotech companies are also increasingly engaged in research on orphan drugs, medicines for rare diseases that have hitherto been regarded as untreatable, and are launching them onto the market.
The diverse opportunities that are emerging from this rapidly expanding knowledge and the possibilities of selective research and development are attracting a growing number of scientific institutions, start-up companies and also small and large biotech and pharmaceutical companies onto the scene. To prevail in this competitive environment, it is essential to specialize and to focus on core competencies. Bachem has pursued this strategy ever since it was founded. From the very outset, the focus of our company was on the manufacture of peptides. Driven by the firm belief that peptides possess enormous therapeutic potential, we were and remain keen to know how these complex and sensitive natural substances can be “re-built” and made useful for medical research, development and finally for use as medicines. We made a conscious decision not to develop ourselves new substances as potential active ingredients. Our core competence as a technology company is to make products from research possible.
What we can do
The technological leadership position of Bachem is based on the knowledge and experience which has been gathered over the years by our employees. It is their knowhowwhich enables new compounds to be assessed with regard to their synthetic feasibility and their stability and solubility. This can often lead to suggestions for the improvement of proposed molecular
structures. Simpler manufacture or greater stability are usually beneficial to the project and therefore interesting for customers. From the outset, various new pathways of synthesis are evaluated and compared in terms of their efficiency. Even if the required quantities may only be very small for testing a substance in the initial phase of development, the aspect of potential larger-scale manufacture is always included from the very beginning in the plans for the development process. The whole range of synthesis options is available to us for this purpose thanks to wide experience both in classical synthesis in solution and also in so-called solidphase
synthesis, as well as all possible combined forms. It is precisely the experience and knowledge of the physical characteristics of new substances in the planning phase that facilitate the selection of synthesis strategies and the options for larger-scale manufacture.
Thanks to our focus on technology, we can work across different indications and are not restricted to the manufacture of substances for individual therapeutic areas. Bachem is thus a partner for companies with research interest in such diverse areas as diabetes, cancer, obesity and Alzheimer’s. Our technological competencies also allow us to collaborate on innovative concepts, such as therapeutic vaccines and cytotoxic medicines.
The requirements of customers and the authorities regarding the purity of substances manufactured by us are constantly increasing in line with the progress in analytical chemistry. Good synthesis processes also always lead to high yields and high levels of purity. At the same time, good manufacturing processes are usually beneficial in ecological and economic terms, since they are always characterized by lower expenditure on labor, machinery and resources. In addition, they enable quality to be maintained at a constantly high level and allow a high degree of compliance with good manufacturing practice requirements (GMP conformity).
The huge increase in the density of regulatory requirements is also accompanied by a discernible increase in quality audits being carried out by customers for the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, often even before business relations are entered into. Successful audits pave the way for business relations and form the basis of trust in the manufacturer. There is likewise a growing appreciation for support in the regulatory process. Especially relatively inexperienced customers from specialist biotechnology companies rely on the extensive know-how of specialists from Bachem in the registration of numerous products. Here, too, it is essential at the outset to select the right strategy and to meet the high quality standards so as to avoid delays in the drug development process and thus also costs and possible competitive disadvantages.
A further service that is being increasingly made use of is the sterile filling of active pharmaceutical ingredients for clinical trials. The service, which is offered under the brand name Clinalfa®, provides the customer with a one-stop shop not only for the active ingredient as bulk goods, but also for vials containing the active ingredient, including the regulatory authorization. Synergies can thus be used that are equally interesting both for the customer and for Bachem.
The extensive range of services offered by Bachem is based on knowledge about peptides, their manufacture and handling, that has accumulated with many years’ experience. The advantage of this experience enables us to remain consistently successful in a contested market. With our unique business model, namely to offer peptides for every need, from catalog products and custom synthesis for research purposes, to preclinical products and products in all clinical trial phases through to the marketed medicine, Bachem leads the world in its field despite a marked trend towards consolidation.
How we work
Despite our experience going back many years it is essential to continue gathering current scientific knowledge and to follow the ongoing technical advances closely and test them for their applicability. Good contacts with the universities and constant monitoring of the relevant scientific fields enable us to pick up trends early on. These provide ideas for new products, which are offered on the research market through the catalog and on the internet.
The large number of substances that constantly have to be manufactured anew, whether for the catalog or as custom syntheses also sharpens our knowhow in terms of synthesis and analytical
methods on a daily basis. Our own research and development work and also process improvements likewise help to increase our knowledge. Active participation in international symposia and trade fairs facilitates exchanges with other scientists and gives an insight into the latest developments in the field. Within the Group, periodic exchanges on specific subject areas also help to extend our know-how and broaden the horizons of our specialists. To this end, regular inhouse seminars are held, in which experiences are exchanged.
It is not least the ongoing dialog with existing and potential customers that provides an insight into new ideas and needs. It serves as the basis for longterm relations to which Bachem can make its own contribution with its uniquely extensive range of services as a technology partner for shared success.
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(resource: http://www.bachem.com)